Split opens directly onto one of the most rewarding sailing areas in Croatia. Within a week, a boat can reach quiet fishing villages, lively waterfront towns, clear-water bays and some of the Adriatic Sea’s best-known beaches. Yet a memorable trip is not about collecting as many islands as possible. The right route balances sailing time with enough time ashore and at anchor.
Šolta: the easy first taste of island life
Šolta is often treated as a brief stop, but its proximity to Split makes it ideal for the first or final day of a sailing holiday. The island feels noticeably calmer than the city, allowing a crew to settle into life on the water without committing to a long passage.
On the western coast, Maslinica combines a compact harbour with attractive views across the small islands in front of the village. It is particularly pleasant near sunset. Nearby Šešula Bay offers another possible stop, although the best anchoring choice always depends on wind direction and available space.
Stomorska, on Šolta’s northern side, has a different character. Its long waterfront, traditional stone houses and relaxed restaurants make it suitable for guests who prefer a lived-in village atmosphere over a polished marina setting. Maslinica is Šolta’s only settlement and harbour on the western coast, while Stomorska remains one of its established public ports.
Brač: much more than Zlatni Rat beach
Brač is close enough to Split for a short trip, but large and varied enough to fill an entire week. In our experience, crews sometimes rush towards Hvar without realising how much there is to explore around this Croatian island.
Milna is one of the most natural first stops. Its deep bay provides a practical base from which to explore western Brač, while the town offers provisions, restaurants and a traditional Dalmatian waterfront. From there, sailors can continue towards secluded swimming coves or follow the coast towards Bol.
Zlatni Rat beach is the island’s most recognisable landmark. This long pebble formation extends into the sea west of Bol, and its tip changes shape under the influence of waves and currents. It is beautiful from the water, although summer boat traffic and exposed conditions mean the skipper must choose the stopping point carefully.
Bol itself deserves time beyond a quick beach visit. The town offers waterfront dining, historic architecture and easy access to the Dominican Monastery. Guests interested in active days can also enjoy windsurfing, walking or a trip towards Vidova Gora.
We often suggest a slow sailing approach around Brač. Using roughly seven nautical miles per sailing hour as a simple planning guide, several short passages can replace one rushed island-hopping route. That leaves more time for swimming, local food and unplanned stops.
Hvar and the Pakleni Islands: culture beside sheltered bays
Hvar offers two distinct experiences. Hvar Town is energetic and historic, with a busy harbour, stone streets and a fortress overlooking the waterfront. It suits guests looking for restaurants, cultural sights and evening activities, although it can become crowded during the height of summer.
Directly opposite the town, the Pakleni Islands form a contrasting landscape of wooded islets, narrow passages and protected coves. The archipelago contains around 20 islands, islets and reefs, with anchorages ranging from lively bays to quieter places for a swim.
Palmižana is among the best-known stops. The marina lies on Sveti Klement, while Vinogradišće Bay is reached by a short walk across the island. The bay has a partly pebbly and partly sandy beach, as well as several restaurants.
Many of our guests are surprised to discover that the Pakleni Islands can be more enjoyable when treated as a destination rather than a brief extension of Hvar Town. A quiet morning at anchor reveals a very different side of this popular part of Croatia.
Vis and Biševo: for crews with more time
Vis lies farther from Split, making it better suited to a week-long sailing trip than a rushed day tour. Its distance is part of the appeal: the island has dramatic cliffs, sheltered bays and two contrasting towns.
Vis Town is elegant and historically layered, while Komiža feels more intimate, with stone lanes gathered around a fishing harbour. From Komiža, boats can continue towards Biševo and the Blue Cave, located several nautical miles offshore. Visits depend on sea conditions and are completed in authorised small boats that pass through the cave’s narrow entrance.
The Blue Cave is famous, but it should not dictate the entire route. If you ask our skippers, they will often recommend leaving room for weather changes and less crowded bays around Vis. Sometimes the best day is not the planned tour but an unhurried sail followed by lunch, clear water and a peaceful anchorage.
